Which symptom described in the case is associated with regurgitation hours after meals?

• A. Stridor
• B. Regurgitation hours after meals
• C. Odynophagia
• D. Cough after meals

Answer: (B)

Late regurgitation hours after meals points to a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum, most classically Zenker's diverticulum. In this condition a pouch forms near the upper esophageal sphincter and can trap undigested food. That food gradually becomes dislodged and regurgitates back up the esophagus into the throat hours after eating, which may also lead to coughing or aspiration. This delayed pattern helps distinguish it from simple reflux, where regurgitation tends to occur sooner after meals and is often tied to heartburn.

The other symptoms fit different processes: stridor suggests an acute airway issue, odynophagia indicates painful swallowing from mucosal irritation or ulcers, and a post-meal cough can occur with reflux or aspiration but doesn’t specifically reflect the delayed regurgitation pattern of a diverticulum. Because the key feature described is regurgitation that happens hours after eating, that pattern best points to Zenker’s diverticulum.